amarkand - second by size city of Uzbekistan after Tashkent. In antic literature is known as Sogdiana (Sogd.), Marakand (Greek). Behind prescription of years, a common opinion about an origin of city�s name and fathers-founders do not exist.

More than two thousand years city was a key point on Great Silk Road. Population is 402.300 people (2010): Tajik, Uzbek, Russian, Bukhara Jews, Iranian. Is located on height of 702 m above sea level. In 2001 Samarkand was included to UNESCO in list of World heritage, as a City- Crossroad of Cultures. For the first time is mentioned under a name of Marakand in compositions of Roman and Greek historians-biographers of Alexander Macedonian, who has won Samarkand, which was well developed and strengthened by that time, in 329 B.C.

In different periods Samarkand was under the control of Persians, Greeks (Selevkids), Arabs and Eastern Turks. City became to widen during Samanids (Persian first independent state of Tajik in Central Asia), at the beginning of VII century- the dynasty, governed in Central Asia and Iran in 819-999 y.y. In 1220 is plundered and almost is completely destroyed by Mongols. Reborn on the territory of village districts � on the place of modern Samarkand. In 1365 in city has flashed Serbedar�s revolt under the leadership of Maulan-zade, Abu-Bekr Kelevi and Hurdak Buhari.

During the governing of Timur (Tamerlane) and Timurid�s (1370-1499) city was the capital of his empire. During Bukhara khanate city was a princely center(beks). It receives new revival during period of Bukhara khanate from 1612 till 1656, when governor of Samarkand is appointed Yalangtush Bakhadur. In 1868 was occupied by Russian army and jointed to Russian empire, became a center of Zeravshan district (from 1887- Samarkand region). In the same year garrison of Samarkand under the command of major baron Fridrih Karlovich Shtempel (1829-1891) has reflected attempt of Bukhara to beat off a city. In 1888 the Zakaspiykiy railway is brought to a city. After the October revolution city was a part of Turkestan ASSR. In 1925-1930 was a capital of Uzbek SSR, since 1938- center of Samarkand region.

Region - Samarkand

Coordinates - 39�39'00" N.W. 66�57'00" E.L.

Established - 742 B.C.

Previous names - Marakanda, Sogdiana

Territory - 108 sq.meters

Height of center - 702 m

Type of climate - Hot-continental

Official language - Uzbek

Population - 402 300 persons (2010)

National structure - Uzbeks, Tajik, Russians, Iranians and others

Ethnohoronim - Samarkandian, Samarkandians

Time zone - UTC+5

Phone code - +998 66

Mail index - 140100
 

Registan - (from Reg - sand, and Stan - place, literary - place, covered by sand) - name of main squares in cities of Central East. Square Registan is more known in the centre of the city thanks to located in it famous architectural ensemble of XV-XVII centuries, in the center of which is madrasa Ulugbek (1417-1420), madrasa Sherdor (1619-1636) and madrasa Tillya-Kari (1646-1660). Ensemble from three madrasa is a unique example of city building art and remarkable sample of architectural forming of the main square of city. In 2001 this ensemble together with other ancient constructions of Samarkand is included to List of World Heritage of UNESCO.

Madrasa Ulugbek is oldest madrasa of the square Registan and was erected in 1417-1420 by governor of state of Timurids and scientist-astronomist Ulugbek. Construction of this building, and later of observatory, has brought to Samarkand glory of one of the main centers of science of middle century East.

Madrasa was built in west part of the square of Registan, opposite of it few years later was built hakana Ulugbek, and northern part was occupied by caravan-warehouse. Last two construction have been standing two hundred years, and them on its place at the beginning of XVII century has appeared reached up to now madrasa Sherdor and madrasa Tillya-Kari.
Rectangular in plan madrasa had four verandah and square inner yard, by perimeter of which were located deep niches, leading to two-story cell, where students have lived. Back side of the yard was occupied by mosque, above corner educational auditoriums of madrasa towered four domes, and at corners of the building four minarets were located. Building faced to square by majestic east portal with high lancet arch, above which is located mosaic panel with geometric ornament, made from colored blocks, irrigation and carved ceramics.

Madrasa Ulugbek was one of the best spiritual universities of Muslim East of XV century. Under the legend the famous poet scientist and philosopher Abdurahman Djami was educated in it. In educational institute were read lectures by mathematics, geometry, logics, natural sciences, teaching of person and world soul and divinity and famous scientist of that period have read it: Kazi-zade-ar-Rumi, Djemshid Giyas ad-Din, al-Kushchi, and also Ulugbek.

Madrasa Sherdor was built on place of hanaka of Ulugbek, appeared in 1424 in east part of the square opposite madrasa Ulugbek. At the beginning of XVII century hanaka together with other building of the square has decayed and became unfit to use. By the order of governor of Samarkand Yalangtush Bahadur was started construction of madrasa Sherdor and Tillya-Kari. Madrasa Sherdor (medrese �with tigers�, �Monastery of lions�) was built by architect Abdul-Djabbar, master of décor Muhammed Abbas.

Madrasa Sherdor almost mirror repeats staying opposite Madrasa Ulugbek, through in the deformed proportions. It differs by big by size dome, what could serve as a reason of gradual destruction of the building already in several ten years after its construction. Walls of madrasa are covered by citation grom Koran, on entrance portal there is an image of Emblem of Samarkand- leopards with sun on the back, in the center of arch is located swastika, and above with special Arab shrift is written �God is all-powerful!� Ornament of outer and internal facades are made from glaze bricks, mosaic sets and writings with gilding abundance. Furnish of madrasa Sherdor considerably concedes in refinement to madrasa Ulygbek, built in XV century, on which the Colden age of architecture of Samarkand has had. Nevertheless, harmony of small and big shapes, graceful drawing of a mosaic, monumentalism, clearness of symmetry- all this put madrasa in one rout with best architectural monuments of the city.

Madrasa Tillya-Kari was built in northern part of the square in ten years after madrasa Sherdor on place of caravan-warehouse 1420 years. Main façade of square in plan building is symmetric and consists of central portal and two-storied front wings with arch niche and corner towers. Spacious court yard is constructed by perimeter with small living cells, hudjra.
From west side of the yard is located dome building of a mosque with two adjacent galleries on columns.

Building of madrasa is richly finished by mosaics with geometric and plant ornament. In decoration of interior gilding of plentifully used, what is gave a name of madrasa, meaning � �finished with gold�. In mosque made by gold mihrab and minbar, surface of walls and arches are covered by writings kundal with much use of gold.
During all its history madrasa Tillya-Kori was not only a place of students education, but is executed roles of cathedral mosque.

Gur-Emir - (Uzbek - Gur Amir, Tajik - Guri Amir) - mausoleum of Asian winner Tamerlane (also known as Timur) in Samarkand (modern Uzbekistan).

Family tomb of Timur and successors of empire was built in south-west part of the city in 1404. Mosaic made from light and dark-blue glaze bricks, decorates walls and drum, geometric mosaic ornament brightly sparkles on the sun.

This masterpiece of Middle Asian architecture takes important pace in history of world Islamic architecture. Gur-Emir has served as a prototype for famous monuments of architecture Epoch of Great Moguls: mausoleum of imperator Hamayun in Deli and mausoleum Tadj Mahal in Agra, built by descendants of Timur, which in its time were governed dynasty of Northern India. Monuments was restored in 1950 (outer domes and glaze), much works on its restoration have been begun in 1967.

Bibi Hanum (or Bibi Hanim, what means �elder princess�, earlier name  � Masjidi djami) - architectural monument of 1399-1404 in Samarkand, grandiose cathedral mosque of Tamerlane, richly decorated by tiles, carved marble and writings. Restored from ruins at the end of XX century.

Mosque was built by the order of Tamerlane after his victorious campaign to India. According to legend, have received its name in honor of lovely wife of Tamerlane. From added Bibi Hanum madrasa Sarap-Mulk-Hanim is kept corner octahedral mausoleum with tiled and painted décor.
Mosque have yard composition (78x64m). By main axis of rectangular yard is located parade portal of entrance and in the deep main dome capacity- premise of mosque. On a cross-section axis there are two equal portal-dome buildings. All these 4 main capacities are joined by many dome gallery on 400 stone columns.